John A. Betjaman Collection (MC 395)

Biographical Note

John Augustus Betjeman, Jr. was born on February 9, 1917 in Columbus, Georgia to John A. Betjeman, Sr. and Celeste Wynn Waddell. He was a graduate of Columbus High School in 1934 and of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1938. His father passed away unexpectantly in 1924 while working for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. John Betjeman, Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army and served overseas in World War II. Upon his return to Columbus, John served as treasurer at the Neal-Gentry Tire Company. He never married and lived with his mother, Celeste. John A. Betjeman, Jr. died on August 20, 974 in Columbus, Georgia and is buried in Linwood Cemetery.

Celeste Wynn Waddell was the daughter of George and Laura Spear Waddell and the sister of Elliott Spear Waddell, Sr. She was born in Columbus, Georgia on November 18, 1883 and died June 10, 1972 in Columbus, Georgia. She is buried along with her son and husband in Linwood Cemetery. John Augustus Betjeman, Sr. was born in 1881 in North Carolina and died June 25, 1924 in Washington, D.C. John Betjeman, Sr. was known locally for bringing Fort Benning to Columbus. A bridge on the Fort is named in his honor.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of photograph album of John A. Betjeman, Jr., his military service record, and correspondence from his mother, Celeste, to a lawyer regarding financial interests of his father, John A. Betjeman, Sr., which effected his estate.

1923-1930 (0.5 l.f.)

Permission to Publish

Permission to publish material from the Title Collection/Papers/Records must be obtained from the Columbus State University Archives at Columbus State University. Use of the following credit line for publication or exhibit is required:

John A. Betjeman, Jr. Collection (MC 393) Columbus State University Archives Columbus, Georgia

Provenance

The collection was donated by Katherine Waddell in 2017

Note to Researchers:

See Also:

Brown-Gunnels Family Collection, MC 394

Infantry School at Fort Benning Collection, MC 329

Box and Folder/Item List

Box 1

Folder 1. Autograph Book, Augusta Military Academy, Virginia

Folder 2. Correspondence to Mrs. Celeste Betjeman, Sr. from Bates Warren regarding Financial Transactions Relating to the Estate of John A. Betjeman, Sr. ;1925-1930

Processors Note: Several of the letters relate to a financial deal in Mexico around 1922-1923. There are several photographs of John Betjeman, Jr. in Mexico in Folder 4

Folder 3. Military and Birth Records for John A. Betjeman, Jr.

Folder 4. Photograph Album Belonging to John A. Betjeman, Jr. growing up and serving in the military; 1923-1945